French Government Collapses as Barnier Resigns Amid Political Turmoil

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has resigned after his government was ousted by a no-confidence vote, making him the shortest-serving prime minister in France's Fifth Republic. President Emmanuel Macron, who cannot call new elections until July, must now appoint a successor to navigate the challenges of a hung parliament and a contentious budget. The political turmoil was triggered by the far-right Rassemblement National and leftist Nouveau Front Populaire withdrawing support over a deficit-reducing budget. Macron faces pressure to form a new government coalition amid calls for his resignation.